AN: KShara Khan, your review was hilarious. Thanks for the laugh.

That is Both Wise and Foolish

Harry had just finished eating breakfast when his familiar showed up. He held out his arm and she landed smoothly. A grin graced the young wizard's features as the memory of breakfasts in the Great Hall and the awe inspiring sight of hundreds of owls swooping in to deliver the mail. Hedwig screeched at her human to get his attention, pulling him out of his thoughts. The snowy owl then dropped a piece of leather on the table in front of him.

"What is that, Hedwig?" Harry frowned in confusion, but dutifully offered Hedwig a rasher for her obvious - yet surprisingly obscure - warning. She nipped at his finger before accepting the reward for a job well done and departed for the rafters. Harry looked at the piece of rough cloth and looked up at his familiar, "I don't understand."

Legolas jumped up and crossed the room quickly. "May I see that?"

"Sure," Harry handed the leather to the elf and wasn't surprised when Legolas growled. The wizard expected the swatch to be bad news because of the specific screech Hedwig had used - the cry of a bad omen.

"Uruk-hai," Legolas looked up at the owl who stared back with unblinking yellow eyes. "It is a warning."

Harry resisted rolling his eyes at the obviousness of the elf's statement and opted for a question, "What is uruk-hai?"

"You remember the orcs?" At Harry's nod Legolas explained, "Uruk-hai are similar to orcs, only they are tall like I am and broad like Aragorn. They are bred for war and destruction."

"Bloody hell," Harry's gaze bored into the elf that was taller than Remus before looking to the rafters at the bearer of bad news, "Hedwig, how soon will they be here? A week?" Hedwig swiveled her head towards her human and stared at him. Harry huffed, "Shorter?" The owl hooted, "Bugger… a day?" Harry's familiar hooted once more and the wizard would have sworn his blood ran cold at her response. "We have to tell Aragorn."

The two kings - current and future - sat with their council: Legolas, Gimli, the Guard Captain and two of the three Marshals of the Riddermark. Harry sat and listened as they spoke quickly, bantering ideas and plans back and forth. Háma spoke up when there was a momentary lull in the conversation, "When did Gandalf say he would return with the rest of the army?"

"Look to the east on the fifth day." Harry butchered what the elder wizard said, but really it gave the same information, "We traveled two more days after Gandalf left, we have today and… we'll have to survive a day without his aide."

Théoden looked almost insulted. "The keep will hold. No enemy has ever breeched her walls."

"I can set wards at the weakest points, but I'd need more wizards or witches to do that for the entire keep." Harry offered his aide, but received looks of confusion for his part. "Wards are like an invisible magical barrier, mostly set for security and privacy. There are others that can be done for homes, castles and keeps. I'm still pants at runes so my knowledge of wards is limited, but-"

"Wha's tha' got ta do with yer britches?"

Harry blinked at the dwarf, "It's an expression." He turned his attention back to Théoden after shaking his head clear of the thoughts of pants and continued, "I know enough wards to protect small areas."

The King of Rohan gave him a thoughtful look, "Ward the door to the caves after the elderly, women and children take their refuge."

"Yes, sir and I suggest the front gates as well, for added security. It's wood after all." Harry added that last bit when Théoden began to scoff at him. In the end the king relented and nodded his acquiescence.

Théoden barked out orders and his people scattered in order to carry them out. Harry was searching in his bag for anything that would be remotely helpful in keeping the people safe, but his mind kept coming up blank. Instead Harry chose to pull a Hermione and plucked out a book about wards. The young wizard frowned, wondering when exactly he had packed that, but soon found himself buried in the text instead.

Harry had been reading for a long while and hadn't noticed that he was alone in the hall until he raised his head to rub his weary eyes. His stomach growled and his bladder was full, Harry sighed and closed his book before leaving the tome on the table.

Peering around him, Harry noted - once again - that he was alone. With a small, mischievous glint in his eyes, Harry pulled out the tent from his school bag. He set the tent down near a dark corner and tapped it with his wand before stepping back and watching it set up instantly. With a huge grin, Harry set up a disillusionment charm and Muggle repelling wards. At the last moment, Harry opted for muffliato as well, just in case.

Harry stepped inside the roomy tent, dropped his bag on the table and went straight for the loo. Ah indoor plumbing, he had so much respect for the little things in life. Another idea sparked and while he still had access to the tent, Harry stripped his clothes off and stood under the running water.

Magic was so wonderful. And indoor plumbing, Harry reminded himself. Never would the young man take indoor plumbing for granted again… or hot water. No, hot water wasn't an issue really, he knew warming charms.

So, magic and indoor plumbing. Yes, those two things were the most important aspects to Harry's existence.

His stomach growled. Loudly.

Food… right then. Magic, indoor plumbing and food. That was all that Harry needed. He finished bathing, stepped from the shower and dried off quickly. Stepping back into the common room with a towel draped around his narrow hips, Harry made his way towards the bedroom he had claimed and pulled out clean clothes. He pulled up his shorts and reflected on his actions. He knew he was being silly, but perhaps he shouldn't dismiss the importance of clothing. He was okay at transfiguration and conjuring, but wasn't sure if he could make clothing that would fit and be stylish.

Food, magic, indoor plumbing and clothes. Harry laughed, okay now he was just being ridiculous.

As Harry finished dressing, he heard Éowyn call out for him. She sounded a bit far away, so Harry guessed she had just entered the hall.

Harry grabbed his bag and flung it over his shoulder. He stood outside the tent and watched the blonde stand in the middle of the room and stare at Harry's book on the long wooden table. She strolled over to the book and ran her fingers over the leather bound cover, feeling all the bumps and indentations of the letters.

Grinning, Harry stepped past the wards. "Were you looking for me?"

Éowyn let out a yelp of surprise and jumped back, recoiling as if the book burned her. "How…"

Harry held up a finger, "Wards… like the ones I spoke to your uncle about."

With that, the young man stepped back behind the wards and disappeared from Éowyn's sight. Her voice cracked when she asked, "Where… Harry where are you?"

Stepping forward once more, Harry responded. "I'm still here."

The Rohan maiden strode closer and suddenly stopped. Her brow furrowed and she turned to walk away. Harry chuckled, "Éowyn, wait."

Éowyn looked up at him as she was now far enough from the wards, "I…" She turned to look at the door she was walking towards and then back to Harry. "Where was I going?"

"One of the wards I used is a repelling charm. Makes you not want to come this way and do something entirely different. I know it works on humans, not so sure it will work on elves, dwarves or uruk-hai." Harry held his hand out to her, "Do you trust me?"

The blonde woman raised an eyebrow and he chuckled, "I promise not to hurt you, nor try and press my advantage. I am after all a gentleman."

Éowyn laughed and slipped her hand in his. "I have difficulty resisting a challenge."

"Oh you would make a wonderful Gryffindor." Harry walked her to the wards where she began tugging against him and shaking her head. "It's just the ward Éowyn, trust me."

Harry backed towards the tent and Éowyn fought the urge to run away screaming when her hand disappeared past the ward. Soon she was on the other side and her legs went weak. Harry awkwardly helped prop her up by holding her steady with his hands on her arms. "This is where I was when you came looking for me."

Blushing Éowyn stood tall, stepped away from the wizard and straightened her gown. "Why is there a tent in the hall?"

"This is a wizard's tent. It has been enchanted with magic so it is like a very small home inside." Harry pulled the flap open. "Would you like to see?"

Éowyn looked hesitant, but seemed to pull together her courage and gave a sharp nod before entering the tent. She gasped at the size of the interior and looked around with wide eyes. "What is that?"

"A stove, to cook on." Harry's stomach grumbled at him again, reminding the wizard he was hungry. He opened a charmed cabinet and removed a couple of apples. The young man sat at the table, chomping on the fruit and let her explore.

The funniest of Éowyn's discoveries was when she accidently flushed the toilet and let out a girlish scream of fright. Harry laughed so heartily, he practically fell off the chair he had been sitting on. When Éowyn calmed down and Harry finally caught his breath. He merely said two words, "Indoor plumbing."

Éowyn came to stand at the table. "How did you get this… wizard's tent in the hall?"

"It's magic." Harry handed her the second apple, nodded towards the exit and they both stood outside the tent. Harry vanished his apple core then tapped the door with his wand and it began folding in on itself. "So you were looking for me."

"What?" Éowyn asked distractedly and then her eyes widened, "Oh yes. Aragorn was walking around the perimeter of the wall and asked for you-"

"Harry?" Haleth had apparently been let out of the infirmary for he stood in the hall beside Gimli. "I don't see him. Are you sure he was here?"

"Aye, Lady Éowyn went looking for the lad. Ya said 'e wasn't in the sick house-"

"Infirmary," Éowyn corrected, but neither man heard her.

"They can't hear you. You're still behind the wards I put up." Harry pointed out that neither of the men were looking their way.

"Tha' there is one of the lad's books. I dinnae think he'd go running off withou' it tho." Gimli scratched his beard in thought.

"I can simply step through this ward again and be seen?" Éowyn asked, taking a tentative step forward.

"Exactly," Harry scooped up his tent and put it back in his school bag. "Or I can simply drop the wards like this. Finite Incantatem."

"Nothing happened," Éowyn canted her head in confusion.

"Gah!" Gimli let out a very un-dwarf like shriek, "Where didja come from?"

Harry - deciding not to mention Gimli's girlish squeal, seeing how the man had his axe raised in a battle stance - grinned and pointed out to the blonde maiden, "Obviously something happened or they couldn't have heard you or seen you. Just because you don't see magic, doesn't mean it isn't there."

"Are ya gonna answer m' question?"

"I was showing Éowyn what a ward is and how handy they can be." Harry grinned at the mute, stunned guard, "Hullo Haleth, you look well."

Haleth's jaw snapped closed and he grinned sheepishly, "I feel better as well."

"Excellent!" Harry looked expectantly at the three others in the room, "So who's going to show me where Aragorn is?"

Harry walked the length of the Deep Wall to get to where Aragorn stood. Once he saw what had the future king concerned, Harry nodded thoughtfully. "Well, first I'll repair the gate. Then make the area sturdier. Last I can cast a notice-me-not charm and the Imperturbable Charm."

"A notice me not charm?" Aragorn quirked an eyebrow, "What purpose would that serve?"

"Oh, you doubt my spells?" Harry simply grinned as he casted a few spells at the drain gate area before casting the notice me not on both sides of the gate. When the young wizard was through, Harry watched as Aragorn's eyes kept slipping past the area and chuckled. "Now tell me again where the gate is?"

"I…" Aragorn peered at the wall and still his eyes easily slid past the area he searched for. "I can't seem to see it."

"Exactly. There is a disillusionment charm, but I'm afraid that would make it nearly invisible and we'd rather not have the enemy believing there is a huge gap in the wall."

"Fascinating. What will you cast at the front gate?"

The two began walking in the gate's direction and Harry gave it some thought, "Hermione…" Aragorn frowned in confusion, "That is one of my best friends from school. She had taught me a few good charms to ward our tent when we were camping and on the run from the enemy. I think they'd work well at the gate. We won't need all of them since the uruk-hai have no wizards to cast hexes."

"No, they aren't advanced enough. They were created to be warriors and archers." Aragorn agreed and when they had finally reached the gate Harry hesitated.

"We aren't expecting anyone… are we?" Harry tapped his trusty holly wand against his leg.

"Not that I'm aware of. Why do you ask?"

"I thought I heard a horn."

Aragorn blinked when the sound registered in his own ears. "You did."

"But the uruk-hai aren't expected until tomorrow…" Harry knew that was a guess on his part, considering Hedwig hadn't - or rather couldn't - speak plainly.

The ranger grinned at the wizard, "Ah, but that is not the enemy that comes."

Someone from far above called out, "Open the gate!"

The two were suddenly swarmed with other guards, Legolas, Gimli and even Théoden came to welcome the newcomers. But when the gates opened, Harry stood stunned. Granted he had met an elf - and as otherworldly as Legolas was - the sight of a platoon of elves was as inspiring as they were daunting. Each elf stood as tall as Legolas and were just as ethereal and majestic, making the wizard feel rather small and insignificant in comparison.

There were three long rows of cloaked elves, armed with long bows in one hand and wore hoods that covered their heads which left their faces barely visible. One of the elven soldiers stood apart from the others. His long blonde hair wasn't covered. He wore gold armor and a deep red cloak. Harry supposed he was their leader. The tall elf soon stepped forward to address the King of Rohan. The man carried himself with grace and confidence when he placed a closed fist to his chest before bowing respectfully.

Théoden looked startled and unsure of how this army had arrived in their time of need. The only thing the man could mutter was, "H-how…"

The elf spoke clearly, his tenor voice sounded melodious, "I bring word from Galadriel, Lady of Lothlórien. An alliance once existed between Elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together. We come to honor that allegiance."

Harry saw that the commander looked past the king and smiled at Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. Aragorn grinned widely and bowed just as the leader had to Théoden. Although when Aragorn spoke next it was in a language that Harry hadn't recognized, "Mae govannen, Haldir."

The young wizard had to look away to keep from outright laughing at the stunned look the elf had on his handsome features when Aragorn grabbed the man in a very Mrs. Weasley-esque bone crushing embrace. The ranger released the man just as aggressively as he had hugged him and the elven leader swayed with an amused look upon his face.

From all appearances this aristocratic man was a friend of the Fellowship, or at least Aragorn and Legolas. Gimli just gave the man a stiff polite look that could have possibly passed as a smile if one were to squint and use their imagination. Besides - according to Gimli - he wasn't the hugging type. Legolas, for his part, simply clasped the man's shoulder and received a similar response back.

Harry watched the exchange quietly, but his attempt at staying in the shadows did not last for long. The elf commander somehow found Harry's gaze in all of the excitement of the people from Rohan and gave the young wizard a nod of acknowledgement. Harry gave a nod in return.

Théoden looked delighted to have more fighters and welcomed them in, "We are pleased and grateful for your aide, master elf."

"I am Haldir, of Lórien." Haldir turned his attention once more to the king, "We are proud to fight alongside men, once more."

Haldir's gaze swept back to the young wizard and a smirk toyed with the man's features. "I have also a… gift for the Vanquisher."

With that announcement, Haldir stepped aside to expose a small form shrouded in a cloak similar to the soldiers, but much shorter. A delicate pale hand reached up and pushed the hood back, exposing large blue dancing eyes and long wavy blonde locks. The serene smile lit her face up as Harry cried out, "Luna!"

Ignoring all past awkwardness that Harry had ever felt about touching or hugging, the two friends clashed in a tight embrace. Luna's laughter enraptured many hearts, lifting them and giving a sense of hope. Haldir cleared his throat, "Lady Linovahle insisted upon accompanying us, much to her mother's displeasure."

"Your mum?" Harry eased his hold on his friend and frowned in thought, "I thought she died before you started at Hogwarts."

"My true mother is Lady Galadriel. I was sent to keep you safe until it was time for you to come to Middle Earth." Luna ignored the huff from Haldir. "She wasn't too pleased with me coming to Helms Deep, but it isn't as if we haven't survived one war together already."

"Wait, so you're an elf?" Harry blinked when Luna tucked her hair behind her pointed ear. "Wicked."

Théoden cleared his throat gaining Harry's attention. The young wizard blushed, grinned sheepishly, released his hold on Luna and quickly apologized, "Sorry, sir. This is Luna-"

"Lady Linovahle," Haldir corrected.

"- she's a friend of mine. We went to school together. She's also the one who gave me that parchment that brought me here." Harry blinked as something dawned on him, "That explains your dress! You were going to see your mum."

Luna huffed playfully and poked Harry's chest, "And where is your cloak?"

"Oh, yeah. It's in my bag." Harry pulled it out and allowed Luna to drape it around him and pin it closed as she had done that day in the Forbidden Forest. The young wizard blinked again when someone cleared their throat… again. "Right, erm… Luna-"

"Lady Linovahle," Haldir corrected… again.

"- this is King Théoden, that's Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Éowyn, Haleth, Háma and… everyone. I was about to set some wards on the gate when you lot showed."

Théoden gave Luna a small nod. She smiled brightly and gave a returning curtsey. The king beckoned them inside, "Please come in, we must close the gate."

Harry leaned against the nearest wall and waited… semi-patiently for the gate to clear. He was tapping his wand on his leg again and hummed to himself. At long last, or a few minutes later, Harry was unsure because he hadn't been paying attention, the gates were finally cleared. Aragorn turned to the wizard, "You can set your spells now, Istar."

"I need folks to step away from the gate please. Oh and you'll want to leave it open first so I can set wards outside. Then we'll close them and I'll set wards inside as well." Guards and the few civilians in the area moved away from the gate. Harry stepped through the opening and cleared his mind. He soon began the incantations and wand movements just as Hermione had taught him that year they had gone Horcrux hunting, "Protego Totalum, Repello Muggletum, Cave Inimicum," and soon added one that he had read in the book earlier before his shower, "Repello Inimicum.

Harry then turned to the gates themselves and stared at both wooden doors. First he casted nonverbally and was pleased with the results. Then he turned to the second half and said the incantation, "Reparo!"

The second half of the door was sturdier and looked nearly new compared to the repaired, aged and dingy first half. The wizard grinned at the latest comparison of his magic's ability before casting another repair charm on the first door. "Okay, close the gate."

The guards stepped forward and hesitated, causing Harry to snort, "Sorry about that." Harry stepped forward and pushed the gates closed. Which looked easier than it actually was. The gate doors may have been made of wood, but they were thick and heavy. The young wizard broke into a sweat before he managed his feat and swiped the moisture away before he continued casting spells. Harry started with the reparo and duro spells in order to strengthen the gate and the Imperturbable Charm he had learned from Mrs. Weasley, rounding off the spells with the same protective enchantments as he had in front of the gate.

Stowing his wand, Harry was pleased with the work, but he knew he still had to ward the door to the cave once the women and children were sent inside. Harry turned to walk back up to the hall when he came face to chest with the elven commander. "Erm…"

"Well met, young Istar." Haldir's blue eyes locked onto Harry's emerald gaze. "The First Born have long known of your coming, Vanquisher."

"I'm Harry." The young man stated, "Not all that fond of titles and such, yeah?"

"I am Haldir, Marchwarden of Lórien. Sometimes titles are necessary to distinguish your purpose in life." Haldir countered.

Harry couldn't argue with that logic and simply settled for a small shrug, "Point. Still titles like Istar or wizard, those are who I am, but Vanquisher… that one still makes me uneasy."

Haldir's gaze slipped towards the gate, "You were enchanting the gate." It wasn't a question. Harry simply waited for the man to continue. After a moment of silence, Haldir complied and spoke his mind, "That is both wise and foolish."

"What? Why?"

"When the gate falls, the blame will rest on your shoulders. Warranted or not." Harry sighed and Haldir nodded in agreement, "Lady Galadriel tasked me to seek you out upon arrival. Each member of the Fellowship that had passed through our woods was given a small token. My lady was disappointed, though not surprised, that Lady Linovahle and your arrival came after the Fellowship had passed our way."

Harry hitched his bag on his shoulder in a nervous gesture, "That was very kind of her."

"Not really," Haldir quirked a small grin at Harry's surprise, "It is also in the Eldar's interest that the Fellowship succeeds. It benefits us all to aid when we can." The elf pointed at the leaf that held Harry's cloak together. "That is the leaf of Lórien."

"Luna gave it to me just before we came to Middle Earth. So this was my present from her mum then?"

"Partially," Haldir agreed, "Each member received a cloak with a leaf along with a personalized gift."

Harry ran a finger across the leaf and had a lopsided grin on his face when he remarked, "I don't need anything else. She gave me her daughter after all."

The Marchwarden growled and Harry realized what he had said. He waved his hands in front of him, "I didn't mean it like that. I meant she sent Luna to keep me safe in school!"

Haldir glared at Harry, but apparently saw something within the younger man. Instead of continuing on in anger, the elf nodded and gestured towards the hall, "Come, the others will be waiting. We feast before the inevitable battle. The uruk-hai will arrive before dawn."